Improvement in gates



E; KEN1 PER Gate.

Patented June 24, 1862.

MAW@ i PATnNT trice,

ELIJAH KEMPER, GF THORN, PERRY COUNTY, OHIO.

lNlPROVENI ENT lN GAT-ES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 35,6899, dated June 24, 1862.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIJAH KEMPER, of Thorn, in the county of Perry and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Gates, the construction and operation of which I have described in the following specification and illustrated in its accompanying drawings with sufficient clcarness to enable competent and skillful workmen in the arts to which it pertains or is most nearly allied to make and use my invention.

My said invention consists in, first, hanging a sliding gate upon an axis by means of a hinged piece so arranged in connection with it that the gate may be slid back so as to bring equal parts (or nearly so) of its length each side of the axis, upon which it may be then turned with facility to swing out `of the way, it then also requiring less radial distance from the hinge to allow it to turn, the parts being constructed and arranged in combination with each other substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth; second, providing said gate with a sliding latch so arranged in connection with it that it may be slid forward to support the gate, or`slid back out of the way, as occasion may require, as hereinafter specied.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my improved gate, represent-ing the parts in position when the gate is closed. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the parts in the same position.

l is the main post, upon which the gate swings, and to which the hinged piece 2 2 is connected by the hinges 3 3. The piece 2 2 is made in two parts, as represented, and these parts are connected by the eyebolts, which form parts of the hinges, and kept from being drawn too closely together by the pieces 4 4, placed between them, as shown in Fig. 2. These pieces 4 4 are made sufficiently thick to allow the bars 5 5 of the gate to pass freely between the hinged pieces 2 2 with sufficient allowance for the shrinking and swelling of the wood by atmospheric changes.

The gate as l have chosen to construct it is made of the bars 5, connected at the ends by the posts 6 7 in a firm and substantial manner. In the drawings these posts are represented as being made of vertical bars placed each side of the horizontal bars and secured to them by nailing or otherwise, the top of the posts or end pieces thus formed being secured from the weather by caps 8 S; but it is obvious that these posts may be constructed from scantling by framing, if desired.

The gate proper, made as described or in an equivalent manner for the purpose, is supported by a roller, (represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and indicated by the reference-figure 9,) said roller being, as shown, in such a position that the under side of the second rail of the gate from the top rests upon it. This roller 9 is hung upon a pin, 10, which forms an axis for it, thus allowing the gate to be slid back with very little friction.

The gate may be slid back till the pin 11 strikes the pieces 2 2, when it will be nearly balanced upon the hinge, nearly as much of its length being one side of the hinge as the other. It may then be swung open with every facility and occupies very little space in turning, it only projecting half of its length from the post, and the objection against the swinging gateron account of the room it occupies is to a great extent obviated.

When the gate is in the closed position, the forward end of it is supported by the long sliding latch 12,which passes through the post 7 and is supported at the latter end by the pieces 13, which are fastened to it and slide freely outside of the rails of the gate. rIhe latch 12 is prevented from being drawn too far forward by the pin or stop 14, and from being slid too far back by the pin or stop l1.

The object of allowing the latch to slide is to furnish a support for the gate at the forward end while it is being drawn forward to close it or slid back to open it, and when this last has been done the latch may be slid back out of the way, so as to leave a sidewalk or other passage unencumbered, which would otherwise be blocked by it. The latch is su pported by a roller, 15, (represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2,) and by this arrangement the gate is supported at both ends upon the rollers while being drawn forward to close it or slid back to open it, and that, too, at no expense of room when the gate is open. The latch is kept upon the roller 15 by the catch 16, which also supports one end of the axis of the roller.

17 is a stay piece or catch, intended to support the gate againstan y torsional strain which may be thrown upon it when it is in the closed position. This catch is attached to the post 18, and enters between the pieces which form the post 7 or end piece of the gate; or, if that be made solid, a Inortise may be made for its reception.

The advantages of this `gate are obvious. Vhile the advantages of a hinged gate are realized, its disadvantages are avoided. The hinges in this caseserve only as an axis of rotation or vibration for the gate, and, not acting as a brace to support the gate, they are not exposed to the strain which such a function would impose. The post to which the gate is hinged is not wrenched out of place by the Weight of the gate, as the leverage by which hinged gates generally produce this result is absent. The gate itself is not Wrenched and strained out of shape, foi` the reason it is supported either in the middle or at both ends, instead of being hung by one end in such a manner as to make its diagonal displacement certain. l

' In my gate very little room is required for it to turn, and consequently much less room has to be cleared for it in winter in time of snow than is required in the case of other hinged gates of the same capacity. The construction is simple and the expense triiling for a good gate.

Having thus fully described. my said invention, I claiml 1. The combination, with a sliding gate, of the hinged or pivoted piece 2 2, the parts being arranged in such a manner as to operate as set forth and secure the advantages stated.

2. The combination, With a sliding and hinged gate, as above described, of a sliding latch, 12, substantiallyasand forthe purposes set forth.

ELIJAH KEMPER.

Witnesses: y

R. B. YosT, CHAs; T. BRUSH. 

